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Galaxy S9 vs Galaxy Note8

Two top performers

Until the arrival of the Galaxy S9 (and its big brother the Galaxy S9+) the Note8 was the premium offering in the Samsung Galaxy range. So how does the Note8 match up to the newer, but smaller, Galaxy S9?

The short answer is they’re both great phones that serve different functions. The Note8 has a bigger screen, (6.3 inches as opposed to 5.8 inches for the Galaxy S9). It also has dual rear-facing cameras, giving you the option of 2x optical zoom – so you can get closer to your subject without compromising quality. The Galaxy S9 has just one main camera, but has a variable aperture that can shift between f/1.5 and f/2.4 making it better for taking pictures in low light.

In terms of performance, the phones are pretty similar. The Galaxy S9 has the faster, more efficient Exynos 9810 chip, which lets it run AI applications like facial recognition – but the Note8 has 6GB RAM (as opposed to 4GB for the Galaxy S9) so it should be able to multi-task more smoothly. In reality though, you’re extremely unlikely to be disappointed with the speed and capability of either of these two top-end Samsung smart phones.

Take note

The Note8 has one unique feature – the stylus, or S-Pen, that slots into the Note8’s body just beside the USB port. This opens up a whole new way of using your phone – and it’s really down to whether this appeals to you. It has its own dedicated menu, giving you quick access to many extra features. You can create your own hand drawn emojis, make animated GIFs and even scribble notes on the screen without unlocking it.

If you feel you’d make good use of the S-Pen and its extra features – and you prefer the bigger screen – then the Note8 is the one to go for. Plus, of course, it has dual cameras and 2x optical zoom. But if you want the latest and fastest chip, new features like facial recognition and a re-imagined camera that works brilliantly in low light, the Galaxy S9 may be the phone for you.